matching

matching — adjective

1. describing two or more items that have been made or chosen with a similar colour

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describing two or more items that have been made or chosen with a similar colour, pattern, or style so that they look attractive together

Example

Yumi wore a red dress with a matching handbag to the party.

The old table still has its original matching chairs from the 1950s.

attributive: original matching chairs

Common collocations
  • matching set
  • matching pair
  • matching outfit
  • matching shoes
  • matching curtains
  • matching furniture
Synonyms
  • coordinating

    emphasises that items were selected or designed to go together as a set, even if not identical

  • complementary

    describes items that are different but enhance each other when combined

  • identical

    stronger than matching — every detail is exactly the same

Antonyms
  • mismatched

    items that do not go together in appearance

  • clashing

    items whose colours or patterns conflict strongly

Grammar Patterns

matching + noun

Usage Note

Commonly used before a noun (attributive position). The noun being described is always part of a set of two or more items that share the same appearance — a single item cannot be described as 'matching' on its own.

Common Mistakes

I bought a matching dress.' (when not comparing it to anything else)
I bought a matching dress for my daughter's doll.
'Matching' compares two or more things; without a second item the sentence has no clear reference.

2. used when one thing corresponds exactly to another in value, size, or quantity,

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

used when one thing corresponds exactly to another in value, size, or quantity, or is offered as a proportional response

Example

The university will provide a matching grant for every scholarship donation this year.

matching grant + donation (financial matching scheme)

Naoko received a matching amount of funding from two separate organisations.

Common collocations
  • matching grant
  • matching funds
  • matching contribution
  • matching amount
  • matching number
Synonyms
  • equivalent

    emphasises equal value or meaning, not necessarily identical form

  • corresponding

    implies a direct relationship or parallel between two things

  • parallel

    suggests similarity in structure or development over time

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

matching + noun (amount, number, contribution, grant, funds)

Usage Note

Frequently appears in financial contexts such as matching funds, matching grants, and matching contributions. The two items being compared are usually independent of each other but equal in amount.

Common Mistakes

The two numbers are matching each other.
The two numbers match each other.
As an adjective, 'matching' does not take an object. Use the verb 'match' if you need a direct object.

Word family

  • match
    verbB1
  • match
    nounA2
  • matched
    adjectiveB2
  • unmatched
    adjectiveC1
  • matchless
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Matching, coordinating, complementary, and identical all describe visual relationships between items, but with key differences in strength and scope. 'Matching' is the broadest — items share the same colour, pattern, or style (matching shoes and handbag). 'Coordinating' means items are designed or chosen to work well together without being the same, such as a striped tie worn with a checked shirt in the same colour family. 'Complementary' describes different items that enhance each other when combined, like blue and orange. 'Identical' is the strongest — every detail is exactly the same. Use 'matching' when items are visibly alike (matching sofa and armchair), 'coordinating' when they form a planned set but differ in pattern (coordinating bed sheets), and 'complementary' when contrast is the goal (complementary colours in a painting).

matching ↗coordinatingcomplementary ↗identical ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • matching set
  • matching pair
  • matching outfit

Adverbs

  • perfectly matching
  • exactly matching
  • closely matching

Phrases

  • a matching set of
  • a matching pair of

Prepositions

  • matching with

Etymology

GermanicOld FrenchEnglish

'Matching' is the present-participle form of the verb 'match', which entered English from Old French 'machier' meaning to join or mate. The French word traces back to a Germanic root related to making or fitting things together. The adjective use first appeared in the 1500s, originally describing items that form a pair, and later extending to anything that shares visual or numerical qualities.